Gov. Sherrill signs bill to expand storage options in New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has signed state bill A4529/S3819 into law, expanding her state’s options for transmission-scale energy storage procurement.
The bill, part of a major campaign promise that helped Sherrill win the Garden State’s 2025 gubernatorial election, is a reaction to Sherrill’s energy-related executive orders shortly after her inauguration. The orders instituted the state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) incentive program, and aim to help New Jersey construct six new energy projects in Sherrill’s first 45 days in office.
“I’m proud to take action today to accelerate progress on our clean energy goals and expand energy storage in New Jersey,” Sherrill says. “By strengthening the Garden State Energy Storage Program, we’re cutting through unnecessary delays and opening the door to more competitive, cost‑effective storage projects that will help us meet our needs and build a cleaner, more reliable grid. I’m grateful to our partners in the Legislature for acting quickly to deliver this win for New Jersey’s energy future.”
The legislation will modify New Jersey’s solar and storage project maturity requirements in an effort to “expand the number of projects eligible to receive incentive awards under the second segment of the transmission-scale (Garden State Energy Storage Program).”
Additionally, the law extends the BPU incentive approval deadline by six months to Dec. 31, 2026. The board anticipates an additional 500 MW in project construction will be brought forward to the state thanks to the extension.
Trade associations reacting positively
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says the new legislation will be a boon for the state as large-scale storage projects continue to pop up around the country. The company’s U.S. Solar Market Insight 2025 Year in Review report states that energy storage projects alone accounted for 79% of the U.S.’s new grid power capacity in 2025.
“Governor Sherrill was elected on a promise to lower energy prices in New Jersey, and this new law to strengthen energy storage deployment will help do just that,” says Sara Birmingham, SEIA’s VP of state affairs. “The legislation will expand the number of transmission-scale storage projects eligible for state incentives, strengthening the resilience of our grid and insulating ratepayers from volatile gas prices.”
The association thanked Assemblymember Wayne DeAngelo, Senator Bob Smith and Senator John Burzichelli for helping to “secure New Jersey’s energy future.”
“Energy storage is central to lowering electricity prices and meeting surging energy demand in New Jersey,” Storage is fast to build and can send low-cost solar power to the grid when it’s needed most, reducing the state’s dependence on expensive gas peaker plants.”
